JosH Harding spent some quality time with the Aeros. (Bob Levey/For the Chronicle)

Former Aeros goaltender and current backup on the Minnesota Wild Josh Harding was diagnosed withwith multiple sclerosis, according to the team

Harding, 28, is undergoing treatment for the disease, which is an incurable autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system.

Harding has carved his niche as one of the most reliable backup goalies in the NHL and was rewarded with a new three-year, $5.7 million dollar contract extension over the summer.

Harding spent three seasons with the Aeros and compiled 67 wins in 118 games. His best season with the Aeros came in his first season in Houston in 2004-05, when he went 21-16-3 with a 2.01 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage.

For more on Harding, the Wild’s beat writer Michael Russo got the emotional story from the man himself.

Matt Hackett's flight arriving on time just may be the biggest save the Wild need tonight. (Cody Duty/Chronicle)

With starter Niklas Backstrom missing tonight’s game for personal reasons, the Minnesota Wild recalled Aeros goalie Matt Hackett to be the backup for Josh Harding.

But Hackett’s flight won’t arrive until just 30 minutes before start time, so the team turned to 51-year-old Paul Deutsch, a local store owner who is friends with Wild assistant coach Mike Ramsey. The team signed Deutsch to an amateur tryout contract for tonight’s game against the Nashville Predators.